Type-plate for addressing-machines.



D. G. HUGHES.

TYPE PLATE FOB ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLIOA'I'IOH FILED In. 18, 1910.

1,036,118, Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

1% fiinnmiirmd/di fnrenzar UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVYDD C. HUGHES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ROGERS ADDRESSEB- COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TYPE-PLATE FOR ADDRESSING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

Application filed March 18, 1910. Serial No. 550,233.

T 0 all whom 1' t ma y concern Be it known that I. Dsvrnn (l. l'lroniss. a citizen of the United States. and a resident of (lhicagt'i, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lype-llates for Addressing-illachines. of which the following is a full. clear. and exact. description. such as will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a type plate of this character which will have all of its parts necessary to make up a complete plate integrally formed up from a single sheet of metal.

My invention consists primarily in a onepiecc type plate presenting a plurality of type slots. grooves or channels. each having two inwardly directed flanges. said piece also having spacing flanges for holding a like type holder out of contact with type in said grooves, and having integral supporting arms at its end by which the carrier will be sustained in a substantially upright position in a plate drawer.

The preferred form of my invention comprises a substantially rectangular sheet of metal he. ing a portion thereof adjacent one end crimped or folded to form T-shaped ribs spaced apart to provide dovetail type receiving slots therebet ween and having substantially all of the remaining portion left blank to form an extension upon which to place a suitable name card. The said plate is also crimpcd adjacent each end to form a depending flange parallel with said ribs said flanges serving as guides for said plate when the plate is in use in an addressing machine and as spacing means when said plates are stacked up in a filing cabinet or in the magazine of an addressing machine. The edges of the. plate are'also provided with outstanding or laterally projecting arms to form suitable supporting means for maintaining said plate inits proper position in the drawer of a cabinet. The outer edges of said lugs are provided with stiffening ribs and the ends of the slots are provided with type stops against which the type abut. The upper and lower edges of the blank pol tion or extension have flanges formed thcreon which cooperate with a number of projections struck up from said extension to hold a name card. A complete integral type plate is thus produced which is compact and cheap to manufacture.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings.

Like parts will he referred to by similar reference numerals throughout the several views.

Figure l is a top plan view showing the preferred embodiment of my invention: Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of my invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 2l--S of Fig. Fig. l is a sectional \iew on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional View on line 6-4) of Fig. 1: Fig. 7 is a top plan view of anotuer nicditication of my invention. Fig. 8 a sectional view on line S---S of Fig. 7; Figs. 9. 1t) and ll are fragmentary views of a type holder showing the development of a modified form of supporting arm; and Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line 12*42 of Fig. 10. I

leferring first to Figs. 1, 4, 5 and G, the numeral 1 represents a substantially rectangular sheet of metal upon which are integrally formed all of the parts entering into a complete type plate structure such as may be used in addressing machines. The plate 1 comprises a body-portion 2 and an extension 3 thereon. In the structure which I have shown. the body portion 2 and the extension 3 are integrally formedfrom a single sheet of metal and they preferably lie in the same plane. T 1e body portion 2 is crimped or folded intermediate one of its edges and the extension El into a Series of parallel T-shaped ribs '4 projecting upwardly at right angles from the surface thereof. .Thesc ribs are enlarged or flattened out.at their outer edges to form laterally projecting flanges 5 which have their under sides extending substantially at right angles to the ribs; that is, in flattening out the ribs the metal forming the flanges is tightly compacted and the under side of the flanges is caused to extend at substantially right angles to the ribs. The ribs are spaced at somc distance apart on said body portion thus providing between them a series of parallel dovetail type receiving and containing slots 6. The flanges 5 project laterally over the tops of these slots and thus restrict or reduce the months or entrances thereof.

The ribs 4 are adapted to retain between degree of looseness to permit their being suitably arranged. The flanges 5 on the ribs 4 in fact retain the type therebetween in the slots against vertical and lateral movement.

Formed integrally with the body portion '2, and substantially closing 'the ends of the slots 6, are the type stops 8 which are intended to prevent the type from accidentally dropping out of the ends of the slots after they have once been placed therein. lVhen the type plate is formed the stops at one end of the slots are arranged to lie in the same plane as the body portion, but after the type have been placed in the slots they are turned up at right angles to said body to practically close the ends of the slots. However, before these stops are turned up, a tightly fitting rubber plug 9, or a metallic follower may he slipped into the slots at one or both ends of a row of type in order to prevent the type from shifting in said slots. Of course if the type are positioned at the ends of the slots theplugs 9, or followers at that end, will be unnecessary since the stops 8 will hold said type in place.

It is well known that type plates of the character used in addressing machines are adapted to be filed in cabinet drawers and to be arranged in said drawers in a manner similar to a card index. In order to permit said plates to be properly supported in the cabinet drawers, 1 provide the arms 10 and 11 formed integrally on the upper edges of the body portion 2 and the extension 3, preferably projecting laterally therefrom in the same piane as said body portion and extension respectively. The lower ends of these arms are provided with depending extensions 12 arranged at a suflicient distance from the edges of said body portion and extension to form hooks which are preferably arranged to engage the edges of the drawers in which these plates are filed. Extending practically the entire length of the arms 10 and 11 and their depending extensions 12 are the stiffening ribs 13 pressed up therefrom.

The extension 3 is provided on the body portion 2 for the purpose of carrying information by which to identify each type plate and by which it may be indexed and tiled. This information may be placed on suitable cards 14 retained in place by the upturned flanges 15 formed integrally from said extension on its upper and lower edges respectively and by the projections 16 struck up from the surface of said EXtEIlSlOD, as

best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The projections 16, shown at the right hand end of Fig. 1, are preferably joined to the extension on two sidesl? and 18 to prevent the cards from becoming accidentally displaced or removed from the face of the extension. It will be understood, however, that the flanges 15, the projections 16 and the cards 14 held thereby are not essential s nce it is obvious that the information may be printed directly on the face of the extension.

In addressing machines of the type with which I prefer to use my invention it is essential that guides be provided on said type plate adapted to direct the movement of the plate while it is in the machine. Accordingly I crimp or fold the body portion 2 and the extension 3 of the plate adjacent their respective ends or side edges into guide flanges 19 and 20, depending at right angles from the bottom or under face of the body portion and extension. These guide flanges are preferably formed by simplyfolding back the sheet metal once upon itself, as

clearly indicated in Fig. 5, and lie along a' line parallel to the ribs 4 and slots 6 on the upper face of said body portion. The flanges are slightly higher than the height of the type so as to separate the plates to protect the type when said plates are stacked in a file drawer or in the magazine of an addressing machine.

It may be found desirable to dispense entirely with the extension 2 in order to provide a type plate which will occupy less space both in the machine and in the filing drawer. In this event the supporting arm 11 and the guide flange 20 may be formed directly on the side edge of the body portion 2. as clearly indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 1, the result beinga plate like that shown in Fig. 2. This form of plate may be filed in a cabinet drawer with its under side facing the forward end of the drawer. The indexing information may then be placed on the under side of said plate be tween the flanges 19 and 2C- in any suitable manner.

. Referring now to Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, I will describe a modified form of my invention in which the type plate is made still more compact and the supporting arms are made of a different shape. In Figs. 7 and 8 the flanges 19 and 20 are formed integrally with the base portion 2 and project upwardly from the same side of said plate as the ribs 4. These flanges are inwardly inclined at an angle to the base portion 2 and are slightly higher than the face of the type in the slots (as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8), so that when the plates are stacked in a drawer the flanges preventone plate in the drawer from coming in contact with the face of the type carried in the slots of the plate adjacent to it in order, thus rose; is

protecting-the type from iniory. It will 9 plane oi -the body portion '2. Figs. 9, 10, l

and 12- show the development of a modifie'n ally from tl'iegnide flanges. "llhen the type plate is blanked out from a sheet of metal a small rectangular plate 23 1s lett at, the up;

per end of that portion of the type plate which forms a guide flange. This is then rolledinto a tube and bent at right angles to thefiange, as indicated in Figs. 10 and 11.

, It will be noted by reference to Fig. 12 that when the type plate is completely formed thatthe upper side of the tubular member 22 lies in a plane substantially the same as that in which the flanges l0 and 11 of Fig. 8 lie; 6., in a plane slightly higher than the plane of the face ofthe type in the slots. If dcsiretil, the type plate may be placed in a tin or solder bath after it is completely formed. lhetin'or solder fills up the crevices made when the plate is crimped and binds all. of the parts together into a neat, rigidstructure.

I claim: 7

1. The combination with metal type havsubstantially horizontal channels on each side thereof, of a holder therefor formed from a single piece of sheet. metal and comprising a flat bottom and a plurality of parallel rigid spaced apart ribs extending at rightangles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of'the holder and having their sides tightly compacted and forming channels for receiving the base of the type, said ribs haying oppositely disposed transversely extending flanges adapted to enter the channels of the type and hold them against vertical displacement doubled out of the side Walls of the ribs, tightly compacted and having their .under sides forming substantially right angles With the ribs.

The combination with metal type having horizontal channels on each side thereof, ot' a holder therefor formed from a single piece of sheet metal and comprising a flat bottom having laterally extending supporting ears, anda plurality of parallel, rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of the holder and having their sides tightly compacted, said ribs having oppositely disposed transverscly extending tlangesdoubled out of the side Walls of the rib, having their under sides forming substantially right angles with the ribs and arranged to hold the type against vertical displacement by engaging in the channels in the sides of the type.

3. The combination with metal type having horizontal channels on each side thereol oe T noted illmthis modification that the snyqiortmg arms 10 and il lie in a plai'ie aboi'c th of a holdertherefor. formed from single p e e-ot'sheet metal. and comprisinga fiat tn having laterally extending hooked porting ears, and a plurality of parallel, d, spaced apart'ribs extending: atright angles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of the holder and having their-sides 'ightly compacted, said ribs having op positely disposed transversely extending flanges doubled out of the side walls of the ribs, having their under sidesforming sub stantially right angles with the ribs and arranged to hold the type against Vertical dis placement by engaging in the channels in the sides of the type. l I

4. The combination with metal type hav ing horizontal channels on each side thereof, of a holder therefor formed from a single piece of sheet metal and comprising a flat bottom having laterally extending ribbed hooked supporting ears, and a pluralityof rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of the holder and having their sides tightly compacted, said ribs having 0ppo-sitely disposed transversely extending llanges doubled outof the side walls ofthe rib, having their under sides forming substantially right angles with the ribs andao ranged to hold the t pe against vertical displacement by engaging in' the channels in the sides of the type.

5. The combination'with metal typehaving horizontal channels on each side'- thereof, of a holder therefor formed from asingle piece of sheet metal and comprising a flat bottom, spacing flanges doubled up from" the metal of the holder and extendingfronr the under side of the bottom, and a p'lurality of parallel, rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of the holder and having their sides tightly compacted, said ribs having oppositely disposed trans-- versely extending flanges doubled out of the side Walls of the rib. having their under sides forming substantially *ight -angles with the ribs and arranged to hold the type against. vertical displacement by engaging in the channels in the sides of the type.

6. The combination with metal type having horizontal channels on each side thereof, of a holder therctor formed from a single piece of sheet metal and comprising a flat bottom having laterally extending sapporting ears, spacing flanges doubled up from the metal of the holder and extending from the under side of the bottom, and a plurality of parallel, rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of the holder and having their sides tightly compacted, said ribs hav ing oppositely disposed transversely ex tending flanges doubled out of the side Walls of the ribs, having their under sides formingsnbstahtially right angles with the ribs and arranged to hold the type against vertical displacement by engaging in the chan-.

nels in the sides of the type.

'7.The combination with metal type hav- I by engaging in the channels in the sides of the type.

8. The combination with metal type having horizontal channels on each side thereof, of a holder therefor formed .from a-single piece of sheet metal and comprising a flat bottom having laterally extending supporting ears and a card-receiving portion, and a plurality of parallel, rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the bottom,

doubled up from' the metal of the holder and having their sidestightly compacted, said ribs having oppositely disposed transversely extending flanges doubled out of the side Walls of the ribs, having their under sides forming substantially right angles .iyith the ribs and arranged to hold the type against vertical displacementby engaging in the channels in the sides of the type.

9; The combination with metal type having horizontal channels on each side thereof, of a -holder therefor formed from a single piece ofg sheet metal and comprising a flat bottom having an indicia card receiving portion, pair of spacing flanges doubled up from the metal of the holder and extending from the underside of the bottom,

and a plurality of parallel, rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the .of the-,s'yide Walls of the ribs, having their under sides forming substantially right angles with the ribs and arrangedtohold the type againstrvertical displacement bV,

engaging in the channels in the sides of the type. a

10. The combination with metal type having horizontal channels on each side thereof, of a holder therefor formed from a single piece of sheet metal and com rising a flat bottom having laterally ex'ten ing supporting ears and an indicia card receiving por tion, spacing flanges doubled up from the metal of theholder and extending beneath the bottom, and a plurality of parallel, rigid, spaced apart ribs extending at right angles to the bottom, doubled up from the metal of the holder and having their ,sides tightly compacted, said ribs having oppositely disposed transversely extending flanges doubled out of the side Walls of the ribs, having their under sides forming substantially right angles with the ribs and arranged to hold the type against vertical displacement by engaging in the channels in the sides of the type.

11. In a device of the character described, 'a supporting plate, means for securing thereon type/said plate having formed on its face a card-holdingmeans comprising a top stop and a pair of lower stops, said lower stops being formed by striking ears up from the body of the plate, the cuts in the metal for one of said ears being through the metal on one side and end of the ear only.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand, this 9th day of March, 1910,

in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVYDD C. HUGHES. 

